Finding My Waylon

The Horse, The Dream, The Business

The who, what, where, when, and why behind this punny business.

Hello! I'm Emma! I'll start by saying, I'm not a professional writer, journalist, or really... much good at most things. Whatever expectations you have, lower them, and prepare to get personal. We're all friends here, and that's how we're going to proceed.

Little Baby Emma, with the most saintly Shetland pony. He lived to 42 years old and is buried at my childhood home.

Brief Background: I grew up in a small Southwest Michigan town on 80 acres. I'm an only child of a single mother - look up "oops" and you'll find my picture! I spent my younger years running around our little farm, tormenting the dogs and the horses, and whatever else we happened to have at the time. (Ask me about the goat, I dare you.) My mom got me started in 4-H at a very young age, and I switched over to three day eventing at around 14 years old. I would ride as many different horses as I could, and cherished every one of them... I even kept a list of every single horses name - each one still brings back fond memories. Ok, some are closer to war flashbacks, but I lived, so it's fine. Point is: every damn horse taught me so much about being a horseman... I'm thankful for them all.

Ranger, a 13.3hh Mustang pony, with a heart of gold and a low tolerance for bullsh*t. He's also buried at home.

I absolutely loved eventing... I spent years pursuing the hobby through high school, and while I set it down briefly to finish my first year of college - that I promptly dropped out of, shocker - my heart wouldn't let it go..

So began the first of my wanderings as I headed down the country, settling in Aiken, SC for four short years! I had the honor and privilege of working for some of the best Dressage and Event riders in the country, build my skills, and become the rider I am today. I will never forget, nor take for granted my time spent in that wonderful state, and I will always think back fondly on those memories: the weeks of living on Ramen, the late nights and early mornings working three jobs, the roommates (again, a very interesting story) and most of all, the horses... but I digress.

The Birth of a Dream

Jessie, one of my wrangler horses... She saved my life once.

I needed a break from the show world, from the job, from the politics of the place I was involved in. When I left, late spring of 2016, I had every intention of coming back. That all seemed to dissolve in Colorado. The mountains were something absolutely magical. It was a partnership with a horse unlike anything I'd experienced. At the time, I couldn't imagine anything better.. so I stayed. I struggled, and I was again working too many jobs, for too little pay, and hitting every roadblock you can imagine.. but momma didn't raise no quitter.

Two and a half year old Waylon... it's ok. You can laugh.

So there I was, broke, sad, and horseless... when an ad pops up for this ugly little mustang. All red, short, you could probably knock him over if you sneezed hard enough in his direction, he was so narrow in the chest. Naturally, I bought him. Little did I know, I bought him from my future best friend. That's when the tides began to change. I had purpose again. Something to do, to fill my time... another pony to annoy!

Waylon and I's first trip to the Tetons, Summer of 2019.

So began a journey I never thought to imagine, with my sweet little Ramblin' Man, my Waylon. From the time I bought my scraggly little mustang, him and I have traveled and seen and done more things than I'd have thought to imagine. We have seen Yellowstone, the Tetons, Monument Valley, massive portions of Colorado. We have learned to pack, to highline, to camp, to endure long show weeks, and be adaptable. He was my first horse to spend time in the ICU (effectively making him the most expensive horses I've ever owned.) He has put me through hell and back, and given me a million stories and happy memories along the way.

And here we are now: My herd has grown - pretty significantly, I might add - with more amazing horses, my life has changed in a million ways for the better, and I am dreaming more, bigger, impossible dreams than I ever thought I could... with a feeling that I just might have shot. All thanks to Waylon, and his never ending frustrations and love, that keep me growing, pushing, and always succeeding.

Looking Forward

Monument Valley, September 2019

My only goal in all of this is to help just one person find the love and passion, freedom of the wild in their pursuit of a peace not possible for me, and those like me, within the confines of a city, or an arena. I've never felt more at home than when I'm nowhere, with nothing but my horse and the bare minimum. I've never felt more found than when I'm "lost."

I hope to help you, as I've managed to help myself through others, and their wisdom. I couldn't have done any of this alone. I'd love to help you find your way into the wild, in a way that's safe, comfortable, wild and free. To help you dive into adventure feeling like you have all the tools you and your horse could need to face anything you may find along the trail.

Colorado Trail, taking a snack break before Georgia Pass

So please, do me the honor of following along - through my failures and blunders, missed markers and valleys. Perhaps a smooth trip and a mountain top or two, but let's be real.. the learning curves will be far more plentiful!! Let's learn together, from my mistakes!

Sincerely, and hopefully,

Emma, may I always be Finding My Way(lon)

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